Why Uhuru's replacement of NTSA officers with traffic cops will not tackle road carnage

david nganga

January 9, 2018 4:09 PM

250 lives were claimed in road carnages alone last December.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday issued a directive sending home the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) officers.

He instructed NTSA officers to be withdrawn from the roads and instead have traffic cops continue maintaining law and orders.

While this decision may be lauded by many Kenyans who were vehemently calling for the disbandment of the transport authority, it may still not help solve the real elephant in the room.

Last December, the country witnessed numerous road accidents which claimed 250 lives with the worst carnage witnessed along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway where 38 people were killed.

Salgaa, Bungoma, Nairobi and Nakuru were among towns marred by the accidents saga with the key question still pegging as to who is to blame for the carnages.

So why will Uhuru's new directive not do much in tackling road accidents?

Driver carelessness

Drivers have often been criticised for careless driving and failure to observe some essential traffic rules. Most drivers are always under the influence of alcohol whereas others fail to make proper judgments leading to road accidents.

While traffic cops will ensure drivers' discipline on the road, the drivers also have a duty to ensure caution anytime they are on the roads.

Corruption

Corruption has for long plagued the industry with police officers being accused of collecting bribes from drivers while turning a blind eye on the mistakes at hand hence endangering the passengers' lives.

For as long as this vice continues on the roads, the replacement of NTSA officers with traffic cops will do little in helping solve road accidents.

State of roads

The poor state of roads cannot be left out as most of the roads in Kenya are not well maintained and labeled. The presence of potholes, sharp corners, and much more cause road safety hazard.

For instance, there has been suggestion of construction of a dual carriageway as well as small bumps along the infamous 14 kilometer stretch between Salgaa town and Sachangwan to ensure that no car from the opposite side overtakes. The stretch has so often hit news headlines with chilling accidents.

david nganga